It all boiled down to talent (Melanie Amaro) versus heart (Josh Krajcik) versus energy (Chris Rene) on the first-ever American finale of The X Factor, with a major recording contract, $5 million and serious bragging rights at stake tonight.

First, Melanie Amaro sped up the Grammy winner's "Someone Like You," turning the ballad into a dance track. Elsewhere, Josh Krajcik belted out a version of "Something" and was told by Nicole Scherzinger that he's akin to a "male Adele."